How Dirty Air Filters Can Affect HVAC Systems

Cleaning and replacing the air filter in your HVAC system is a task many homeowners can perform themselves, yet it often goes overlooked. Ignoring a dirty air filter affects your heating and cooling system on multiple levels. It causes the system to work harder, which drives up energy costs and reduces air flow, which results in inefficiency.

The longer the filter goes unchanged, you risk having the system overheat and break down. As you think about routine maintenance, understand what a dirty air filter can do to your HVAC system.

Restricted Air Flow

Dust and other particles accumulating in the filter restrict flow of air through the HVAC system. When this occurs, the air handler fan motor needs to work harder and may prematurely burn out.

At the same time, particles that aren’t trapped by the filter can accumulate on the system’s internal components. As this occurs, the system has a higher risk for overheating. This impacts its efficiency and will likely cause it to break down sooner than expected.

Increased Energy Bills

Due to restricted air flow, HVAC systems generate more energy to move air and keep your home comfortable. When greater strain is placed on the fan motor, you’ll see higher energy costs. It’s estimated that not changing a clogged air filter causes your HVAC system to consume about 15 percent more energy, which is reflected in your energy bill.

Dirty Ducts

Changing the filter is often a one-and-done maintenance step each season but you’re advised to check for dirt and debris accumulation on a monthly basis. If this task is not performed, the filter can become clogged.

When dirt and debris passing through the HVAC system is not trapped, these particles begin to accumulate in the ducts and on other components. This requires more extensive, professional-level cleaning and can mean that parts wear out sooner.

Decreased Efficiency

Going hand-in-hand with increased energy usage, a dirty air filter may cause your home’s HVAC system to cycle more frequently. This results in greater energy consumption, sharper temperature fluctuations and more noise.

Ice and Frozen Coils

While restricting air flow, a dirty filter can also cause cold air to build in parts of the HVAC system. This means the temperature can drop unexpectedly and cause ice to form on the air conditioning coils or evaporator.

This combination places greater strain on the A/C system and decreases its ability to remove heat from the air. In turn, temperature control is less efficient and if the ice melts, your home may experience water damage.

Temperature Changes

A culmination of all the aspects described so far, the HVAC system no longer heats or cools as efficiently. This often results in decreased comfort due to pockets of hot and cold air throughout your home.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Dirt, dust, bacteria, pollen, smoke and pet dander eventually enter the air you breathe, rather than being removed by the filter. This can aggravate asthma and allergies and cause mold to form in the ducts, which can contribute to respiratory and other health issues, from headaches to insomnia.

Secondarily, clean air filters help control unpleasant scents in your home. Without them, smells can linger and you eventually start to notice musty or stale air.
 
Did you neglect air filter maintenance and are now dealing with the consequences? Contact our HVAC technicians to clean your system and perform all necessary repairs to improve its performance. To schedule service, contact MJ Fahy & Sons today.